Do I have to pay the debt collector even if the colletors a fraud...?

Question

I have heard nothing but terrible things about the "law firm" that is suppose to be collecting my debt..and I really don't feel comfortable giving them my money...I don't mind paying the debt,It's just even the letter I received from them looks fake and unprofessional...Then when I tried to contact them by phone not only were they rude, but just really unprofessional...Someone please help me!!!! I really don't want to sucker'd in by these people...

Answer 1

Anjell!  If you are going to help out you need to get your answers correct.  I'm not being disrespectful or insulting, but you are giving wrong info.  

(Attention Yahoo Police!  Is this better??)

You do not get debt validation from the credit bureaus.  You get it from the collector or creditor.  If you ask the credit bureau for validation all you will get is a polite form letter telling you they don't supply that info.

OK, to answer this question, do with the other responders stated.  You send the collection agency a  "demand to validate" letter and get proof that they have the legal right to collect this debt, plus proof of the exact amount that you owe.  May times these agencies will tack on illegal fees.

And don't let the "law firm" titles scare you....may of these are nothing more then collection agencies who hide behind the title of an attorney who sold them the rights to use it.  But it sure does scare folks when they see a law firms name on the collection letter.

Answer 2

i would call the credit card or source of the debt and see if the debt collector has been in contact with them, or see if you can just give the money straight to them. i hate scammers >:0

Answer 3

We're getting a lot of questions like this today for some reason. I guess every collection agency in the country decided to bother people today.

The answer is to pursue debt validation. Make them prove to you that they own the debt. Wait 30-45 days after you send the letter and see what happens then.

Answer 4

Get a debt validation letter from the credit bureau not the lawyer! They have 30days to reply...if not they have to take it off your report. Don't send anyone anything.

Answer 5

Here are some steps to take first:

Check the following web site to see if this "law firm" is listed there. NOTE: this is not solicitation for the web site, it is purley for reference only)!  If it is, then you will find out more about them.

http://www.budhibbs.com/drowning_in_debt...

Second, did they provide the information required in the letter as per the FDCPA to whit:

15 U.S.C. § 1692g. Validation of debts

(a) Notice of debt; contents

Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice

containing--

(1) the amount of the debt;

(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;

(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;

(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and

(5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

(b) Disputed debts

If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the

consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy

of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

(c) Admission of liability

The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be

construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.

So last but not least, as stated above, send them a letter (certified/return receipt mail) asking for validaton of the debt.  If they are bottom feeders in the collection business, then they will no doubt go away.

Remember, once they know that you know your rights, it tends to scare them away.

Hope this answers your question

LEGAL DISCLAIMER:  The advice contained herein is for informational purposes only.  It is not to be construed as Legal Counsel nor Legal Advice.